Safe Deposit Box, Recovered
Photo credit: Matt Flynn
Accession Number: C.2012.418.1
Dimensions: 3 in X 10 in X 22 in
Dimensions (Metric): 7.62 cm X 25.4 cm X 55.88 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 7.62 cm X 25.4 cm X 55.88 cm
Source: David Greenberg
Credit Line: Gift of David Greenberg, Sterling Commodities New York Merchantile Exchange, in memory of the members of Nymex lost on 9/11/01
Description
Recovered safe deposit box, heavily dented and damaged by smoke and heat. The contents of the box are blackened and brittle. Duct tape is stuck to the exterior of the box.
Recovered safe deposit box, heavily dented and damaged by smoke and heat. The contents of the box are blackened and brittle. Duct tape is stuck to the exterior of the box.
Historical Notes
Safe deposit boxes at World Trade Center banks, such as this one from the concourse branch of Chase Bank, were presumed destroyed in the attacks. Many were found intact months later. Owners who retrieved their boxes found that the contents had suffered varying degrees of damage. Some currency and paper documents were merely charred, while others were completely destroyed. In addition to personal valuables stored in banks at the World Trade Center, an estimated $200 million worth of gold and silver was held by the Bank of Nova Scotia in a vault beneath 4 World Trade Center.
Safe deposit boxes at World Trade Center banks, such as this one from the concourse branch of Chase Bank, were presumed destroyed in the attacks. Many were found intact months later. Owners who retrieved their boxes found that the contents had suffered varying degrees of damage. Some currency and paper documents were merely charred, while others were completely destroyed. In addition to personal valuables stored in banks at the World Trade Center, an estimated $200 million worth of gold and silver was held by the Bank of Nova Scotia in a vault beneath 4 World Trade Center.
